In the News

California lawmakers push police reforms, including decertifying law enforcement

April 15, 2021

CALIFORNIA, USA — California lawmakers are taking up a number of sweeping police reforms, including a measure that could strip some officers of their badges. The measures are quickly moving through the state legislature despite strong opposition.

“Since Oscar was murdered over 1,300 Californians have been killed. Only one officer has been convicted,” said Cephus “Uncle Bobby” Johnson who founded California’s Families United for Justice.

Johnson has been pushing for police reform since 2009, when his nephew Oscar grant was shot and killed by a BART police officer.

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Senator Bradford LIVE on Roland Martin Unfiltered

April 14, 2021

Senator Bradford discusses SB 796, returning Bruce's Beach, Reparations and more.

Click here to watch.

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State senator introduces bill that will allow Bruce’s Beach land transfer

April 13, 2021

State Sen. Steven Bradford introduced a bill this week that, if it passes, will give L.A. County the authority to return a piece of land in Manhattan Beach to the descendants of the Black couple from whom it was wrongfully taken nearly a century ago.

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LA County taking first steps to return Bruce’s Beach property to descendants of original Black owners

April 10, 2021

Democratic Senator Steve Bradford of Gardena, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, is in support of the decision, saying, “I look forward to working with the county getting this legislation signed into law this year.”

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Plan would return prime beachfront property to descendants of original Black owners

April 10, 2021

The last transfer came with restrictions that limit the ability to sell or transfer the property and can only be lifted through a new state law, Hahn said.

State Sen. Steven Bradford said that on Monday he will introduce legislation, SB 796, that would exempt the land from those restrictions.

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California State Senator Says Leaders in Manhattan Beach Announce Legislation as First Step Toward Returning Bruce’s Beach to the Bruce Family

April 10, 2021

“In 1912, Charles and Willa Bruce created the West Coast's first beach resort owned by and meant for Black Americans. Under their leadership, Bruce’s Beach became a lively and flourishing resort. But their success was unjustly stolen. When harassment, hostility and violence by the Ku Klux Klan weren’t enough to coerce them to leave, the City seized the land,” said Senator Steven Bradford.  “The property that the Bruce’s purchased for $1,225 is now worth $75 million. We stand here today to introduce a bill that will correct this gross injustice and allow the land to be returned to the Bruce family. It is my hope that this legislation will not be the last in a series of actions by the state to address centuries of atrocious actions against Black Americans. I commend Supervisor Hahn for her continued dedication to this issue. She exemplifies a true profile in courage. I look forward to working with all the LA County Supervisors to finally right this wrong.”

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Black-owned California beachfront seized 100 years ago could be returned to owners’ descendants

April 09, 2021

State Sen. Steven Bradford said that on Monday he will introduce legislation, SB 796, that would exempt the land from those restrictions.

“After so many years we will right this injustice,” he said.

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Black descendants of Bruce’s Beach owner could get Manhattan Beach land back under plan

April 09, 2021

“We stand here today to introduce a bill that will correct this gross injustice and allow the land to be returned to the Bruce family,” Bradford said Friday. “It is my hope that this legislation will not be the last in a series of actions by the state to address centuries of atrocious actions against Black Americans.”

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State, LA County effort underway to return Bruce’s Beach land to descendants of original Black owners

April 09, 2021

“It’s not often we can correct these atrocities in America,” said state Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, who is part of the effort. “But this is an easy fix.

“This shows there’s (the possibility),” he added in a Thursday interview, “for reparations and true redemption” in America.

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Bruce’s Beach announcement Friday morning in Manhattan Beach by Supervisor Hahn, Assemblyman Muratsuchi, State Senator Bradford

April 08, 2021

A press conference has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday morning at Bruce’s Beach Park in Manhattan Beach by Los Angeles County District 4 Supervisor Janice Hahn,

State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and State Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena).

The purpose of the press conference is the “Announcement of SB 796 regarding Bruce’s Beach, the LA County beachfront property once owned by Willa and Charles Bruce,” according to a press release from Bradford, who is chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus.  

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